Mechanical locking system for building panels

ABSTRACT

Panels are shown which are provided with a mechanical locking system allowing perpendicular connection with a snap action. A set of panels including a first and a second panel, an edge of the second panel is insertable into a groove of the first panel, when the panels are arranged essential perpendicular to each other, to obtain a mechanical connection between the first and the second panel, when the second panel is displaced essentially perpendicularly to the first panel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/228,975, filed on Dec. 21, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/379,791, filed on Dec. 15, 2016, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,202,996, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/515,988, filed on Oct. 16, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,538,842, whichis a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/464,512, filed on May4, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,887,468, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/483,444, filed on May 6, 2011. The entirecontents of each of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/228,975, U.S.application Ser. No. 15/379,791, U.S. U.S. application Ser. No.14/515,988, application Ser. No. 13/464,512, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/483,444 and Swedish Application No. 1150400-8 arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to the field of mechanical locking systems forbuilding panels, especially furniture components with mechanical lockingsystems, which are intended to lock preferably perpendicular to eachother.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are particularly suitable for usein furniture components, which are preferably formed of sheet shapedpanels and which are joined mechanically with a locking systemintegrated with the panel, i.e. mounted at the factory. The followingdescription of known technology, problems of known systems and objectsand features of the invention will therefore, as a non-restrictiveexample, be aimed above all at this field of application and inparticular at furniture components formed as rectangular panels intendedto be mechanically joined on one pair of opposite edges perpendicularlyto other adjacent panels. The panels may also be square.

It should be emphasized that the invention can be applied to any type ofsheet shaped panel such as for example wood based HDF, particle boardand plywood, plastic sheet shaped materials, mineral fibre and metalbased materials, stone and ceramics and similar. It may be used toconnect furniture components, and elements for packaging boxes andsimilar. It may also be used to lock components, which for example havea cylinder form such as table legs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Furniture such as kitchen cabinets, bookshelves, drawers, tables andsimilar are generally supplied as flat components in order to savetransportation costs. The customer must assemble them. Several methodsare used to assemble such furniture components, for example, glue,spikes, screws and similar. Snapping connections comprising plasticcomponents are widely used to connect, for example, drawers.

KNOWN TECHNOLOGY AND PROBLEMS THEREOF

There are a lot of problems connected with the assembly of furniturecomponents especially when one panel should be connected perpendicularlyto another panel. Generally special connection devices are supplied thathave to be inserted into grooves and holes. Such assembly is complicatedand time consuming and the connection is often not strong enough.Snapping connections formed in plastic materials are expensive andcomplicated to produce. It would be an advantage if assembly may besimplified and if no loose parts would be needed in order to connectpanels to each other in a firm, cost efficient and rigid manner.

WO 2010/070472 describes locking systems that may be used to assemblefurniture components with angling and snapping. The locking systems maybe formed in one piece with the panel or, alternatively, a separateplastic tongue with an outer flexible snap tab may be used. Such lockingsystems do not give sufficient strength and rigidity especially whenrather soft core materials, such as particleboard, are used. The lockingsystem is complicated to produce since the flexible tongue cannot beconnected to the components with a linear displacement into a groove.The outer flexible part is generally not strong enough to provide arigid connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A basic objective of embodiments of the present invention is to providean improved mechanical locking system which may be produced in a costeffective way and which allows preferably rectangular panels to beconnected and assembled mechanically perpendicularly to each other witha strong locking and in a simple manner without the need for loose partsthat has to be used during assembly.

The above objects of embodiments of the invention are achieved wholly orpartly by mechanical locking systems and panels, according to theindependent claim that provide a stronger and easier locking.Embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims andfrom the description and drawings.

A first aspect of the invention is a set of panels comprising a firstand a second panel. An edge of the second panel is insertable into agroove of the first panel, when the panels are arranged essentialperpendicular to each other, to obtain a mechanical connection betweenthe first and the second panel, when the second panel is displacedessentially perpendicularly to the first panel. The edge comprises aseparate and flexible tongue and said groove comprises a tongue groove,or said edge comprises a tongue groove and said groove comprises aseparate and flexible tongue. The separate and flexible tongue isinsertable into the tongue groove for connecting said panels to eachother in a first direction, which is parallel to a main plane of thefirst panel. The edge of the second panel is configured to cooperatewith the groove of the first panel for connecting said panels to eachother in a second direction, which is parallel to a main plane (MP) ofthe second panel. The length direction of the separate and flexibletongue extends parallel with said edge and/or groove. The groovepreferably comprises an opening, two sidewalls and a bottom. Theseparate and flexible tongue is arranged in an insertion groove. Theseparate and flexible tongue has an inner part mounted in the insertiongroove and an outer part extending outside an opening of the insertiongroove. A part of the separate tongue is displaced in the insertiongroove during locking. The flexible tongue is preferably displaceableinwardly towards a bottom of the insertion groove and outwardly into thetongue groove during locking.

The tongue may comprise two opposite displacement surfaces locatedbetween the inner and outer parts of the separate and flexible tongue.One or both of said two opposite displacement surfaces may bedisplaceable against a wall(s) of the insertion groove during locking.

A locking involving displacement of a displacement surface against anupper or lower wall of the insertion groove may make it possible use atongue with a rigid outer part. That may facilitate a strong lockingeven in rather soft materials such a particle boards that are often useda base material in furniture components. The outer rigid part may bedisplaced into a rather deep tongue groove and a firm locking may beobtained.

Said insertion groove may be inclined upwards with the opening closer tothe main plane of the panel than the inner part of the insertion groove.Such inclination may facilitate the insertion of the separate tongueinto the insertion groove during production since the tongue may beinserted with a linear motion into the displacement groove.

The separate and flexible tongue may, when the edge of the second panelis inserted into the groove of the first panel, lock by snapping.

The inner part may be fixed in the insertion groove by e.g. frictionconnection or by glue.

The inner part of the tongue may comprise one or several flexibleprotrusions extending in the length direction of the tongue.

The first and/or the second panel may comprise separate materials thatform an edge or a groove portion. A particleboard panel may bereinforced with solid wood, plywood, HDF and similar wood basedmaterials that are glued or mechanically connected to the panels inorder to form at least a part of the locking system.

The second panel may have an outer edge with a smaller thickness thanthe thickness of the panel body such that the panel body overlaps one orboth parts of the groove opening when the second panel is inserted intothe groove of the first panel.

At least a part of the tongue and/or the groove may be formed in thefirst and the second panel respectively before a part of the tongueand/or the groove, and preferably a part of the panel, may be covered bya layer, such as a foil.

The above-described locking system allows that panels may be lockedautomatically perpendicularly to each other with a snap action andwithout any loose parts. The flexible tongue provides a strong and easylocking in middle sections and in corner sections.

The tongue is preferably factory connected but it may of course bedelivered separately in blanks or as a separate loose component andinserted into a groove during installation.

The panels may not be only connectable perpendicular to each other butmay also be connectable to each other at an angle of less than 180°between the main planes of the first and the second panel or preferablyin the range of about 45° to about 135°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a-c illustrate a perpendicular snap action of a middle sectionaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2a-b illustrate a corner section according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 2c-2d illustrate corner section or middle sections according toembodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 3a-b illustrate locking of four panels and a corner sectionaccording to embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 4a-d illustrate a bristle tongue and a bow shaped tongue accordingto embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 7a-7c illustrate embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 8a-b illustrate an angling connection according to embodiments ofthe invention.

FIGS. 9a-d illustrate a partial groove and a side push tongue accordingto embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 10a-10c illustrate embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11a-11d illustrate embodiments of the invention in a 3 d view.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

To facilitate understanding, several locking systems in the figures areshown schematically. It should be emphasized that improved or differentfunctions can be achieved using combinations of the preferredembodiments.

FIGS. 1a-1c show a connection with a perpendicular snap action accordingto a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1a shows a first 1 anda second 2 panel. The first panel 1 comprises a groove 6, formed in thepanel core 7. The groove comprises a bottom 6 a and two opposite groovewalls 6 b, 6 c. The groove is open towards a main plane MP of the firstpanel 1. An insertion groove 4 is formed in one of the groove walls 6 b.The insertion groove 4 is preferably inclined in relation to the mainplane MP of the panel such that the opening of the insertion groove 4 ais closer to the main plane MP than the inner part 4 b. It is preferredthat a linear extension E of the insertion groove extends at or morepreferably above the opening of the groove 6. This makes it possible toform the insertion groove with large rotating tools and to insert aseparate tongue 3 into the groove. The insertion groove is preferablyinclined with an angle A of about 10-45 degrees. The insertion groovecomprises a flexible tongue 3, which has an inner part 9 and an outerpart 10 and preferably two opposite sliding surfaces 3 a and 3 b betweenthe inner 9 and the outer 10 parts.

FIG. 1b shows how the flexible tongue 3 with its displacement surfaces 3a, 3 b is displaced inwardly into the insertion groove 4 when the secondpanel 2 is inserted into the groove 6 perpendicularly to the first panel1.

FIG. 1c shows how the flexible tongue 3 is displaced in the insertiongroove outwardly into the tongue groove 5 such that the second panel isconnected perpendicular and parallel to the first panel with preferablya snap action. The flexible tongue and the tongue groove lock the panelsperpendicularly to the main plane MP of the first panel 1. The groove 6and the edge 16 of the second panel lock the panels parallel to the mainplane MP of the first panel 1. The flexible tongue 3 may be locked withpre tension into the tongue groove 5.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show another preferred embodiment of the invention wherethe edge 15, of the first panel comprises a locking element 12 and theedge 16 of the second panel comprises a locking groove 14. The lockingelement and the locking groove locks the panels parallel to the mainplane of the first panel. This embodiment may be used to connect cornersections. A tongue and a tongue groove 5 a may also be located andformed on the outer part of the locking element 12 and/or in a groovewall of the locking groove 14 as shown in FIG. 2b . There may be a spacebetween the outer part of the locking element 12 and the locking groove,or a play or a tight fit. The insertion groove 4 may be formed in thesecond panel and the tongue groove 5 in the first panel. The insertiongroove and/or the locking surfaces between the flexible tongue and thetongue groove may be inclined or essentially parallel to the main planeMP of the first panel.

FIG. 2c shows an alternative embodiment, which may be used to connectcorner sections or middle sections. The edge 15, of the first panel 1,comprises a locking element 12 that in locked position forms an outerfree end of the panel. The flexible tongue 3 is displaced inwardly intothe insertion groove 4 when the second panel 2 is inserted into thegroove 6 perpendicularly to the first panel 1. The inclination of theinsertion groove 4 facilitates the insertion of the flexible tongue 3into the insertion groove 4 during production and locking may beaccomplished with lower resistance since the flexible tongue 3 slidesinwardly and downwardly during locking. The insertion groove ispreferably inclined such that an extension E of its lower part islocated at or above the upper part of the locking element 12.

FIG. 2d shows that the second panel 2 may have an outer edge 26 with asmaller thickness than the panel body 2 such that the panel body 2overlaps one 27 or both parts 27, 28 of the groove opening when thesecond panel 2 is inserted into the groove 6 of the first panel 1. Thefirst and/or the second panel may comprise separate materials 24, 25that form an edge or a groove portion of the first or the second panels.A particle board panel may for example be reinforced with solid wood,plywood, HDF and similar wood based materials that are glued ormechanically connected to the panel in order to form at least a part ofthe locking system. Separate materials may be covered with for example afoil, paper or paint.

FIG. 3 shows a connection of four corner sections 20 a, b, c, d. Fourpanels of for example a kitchen cabinet may be connected. A first panel1 a is placed on a floor. A second 2 a and a third 2 b panel areconnected with snapping to the first panel a. Finally a fourth panel 1 bis connected to the second and third panels.

FIG. 3b shows a corner section where the adjacent panel edges 17, 18 areinclined, preferably inwardly and preferably with an angle of about 45degrees against the main plane of the panels.

FIGS. 4a-4c show a known flexible bristle tongue 3, which is used toconnect floor panels. Such a tongue may be used to connect panelsaccording to embodiments of the invention. The tongue comprises flexibleprotrusions 8 that bend in the length direction of the tongue and thatdisplace the tongue in the insertion groove during the snap action. FIG.4a shows the tongue in the outer position prior to locking, FIG. 4bshows the tongue 3 in the inner position during locking, and FIG. 4cshows the tongue 3 in the outer and locked position.

FIG. 4d shows a flexible bow shaped tongue 3 that bends in the lengthdirection.

All known flexible tongues that are used to lock floor panels may beused in embodiments of this invention. Tongues that bend in the lengthdirection are preferred, for example, bristle tongues and bow shapedtongues, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4d , since such tongues have theadvantage that flexibility may be combined with a rigid and strong outerpart that creates a strong locking even in rather soft core materialssuch as particle boards that are generally used as a core in furniturecomponents. It is an advantage if the tongue creates a pre tensionagainst the tongue groove in locked position. This gives a strongerlocking and eliminates production tolerances especially if the lockingsurface of the tongue/tongue groove is inclined against the main planeof the first panel. The tongue is preferably formed of an injectionmoulded plastic material preferably reinforced with glass fibres.

FIG. 5a shows an embodiment with two tongues 3 c,3 d. The edge of thesecond panel 2 may comprise a separate material 25.

FIG. 5b shows a tongue 3 that comprise an outer part 4 with a snap tabthat during snapping is displaced at least partly into an inclinedinsertion groove 4. The locking system comprises a stabilizing tongue 11that may be formed in one piece with the core or inserted as a separateelement.

FIG. 5c shows a tongue 3 comprising a snap tab 10 that during snappingis displaced outside the insertion groove 4.

FIG. 6a shows a tongue that comprises an inner and outer flexible part.FIG. 6b shows an embodiment with a turning and snapping tongue 3comprising a pressing arm 21 that turns and snaps the tongue 3 into atongue groove.

FIG. 6c shows schematically that the insertion groove 4 may be formed inthe second panel 2.

FIGS. 7a-7c show alternative positions of the flexible tongues. FIG. 7ashows that the second panel may be somewhat inclined for example 45-89degrees against main plane of the first panel. FIG. 7b shows two tongues3 c, 3 d attached to a middle section of a first panel 1 and FIG. 7cshows a corner section.

FIGS. 8a and 8b shows that two panels may be angled together accordingto the generally known principles used in locking systems for flooring.Such angling connection may be combined with all snapping embodimentsdescribed above. FIG. 8a shows an angling connection of a corner sectionand FIG. 8b shows an angling connection of a middle section. The secondpanel 2 that is angled during connection comprises a tongue and alocking groove 31 that cooperates during locking with a tongue groove 32and a locking element 33 formed in the first panel.

All fixation and tongue grooves may be formed over the complete lengthor with of a panel. They may also be formed as one or several localgrooves, which only extend along a part of the panel. Such grooves maybe formed in many ways for example with rotating jumping tool heads.Such a local groove 6 is schematically shown in FIG. 9 a.

FIGS. 9b-9d show that the so-called side push locking systems may alsobe used to connect furniture components. Such a tongue 3 that isdisplaced width a side pressure P along the insertion groove 4 andperpendicularly to the insertion groove into the tongue groove may beused in all embodiments shown above. The perpendicular displacement maybe accomplished with wedges 23 or with a fixation groove, which have adepth that varies along the groove. The tongue 3 and the tongue groovemay also comprise overlapping protrusion and a locking may beaccomplished with a displacement along the insertion groove without anyperpendicular displacement into the tongue groove. Such embodimentsallow locking with a rigid tongue and no flexible parts are needed.

FIGS. 10a-10c show an embodiment of the invention further comprising aplug 21 of e.g. plastic, wood or metal at of the panels 1, 2 insertedinto a hole, preferably at the edge of the other panel. The plug and thehole increases the strength of the connection and may be used toposition the panels.

FIG. 11a-11b show the embodiment in FIG. 10a-c in a 3 d view at twodifferent angles and FIG. 11c-11d a cross section in a 3 d view at twodifferent angles.

Embodiments of the Invention

1. A set of panels (1,2) comprising a first (1) and a second panel (2),an edge (16) of the second panel is insertable into a groove (6) of thefirst panel (1), when the panels are arranged essential perpendicular toeach other, to obtain a mechanical connection between the first and thesecond panel, when the second panel is displaced essentiallyperpendicularly to the first panel, wherein:

said edge (16) comprises a separate and flexible tongue (3) and saidgroove (6) comprises a tongue groove (5), or said edge (16) comprises atongue groove (5) and said groove (6) comprises a separate and flexibletongue (3);

the separate and flexible tongue (3) is insertable into the tonguegroove (5) for connecting said panels to each other in a firstdirection, which is parallel to a main plane (MP) of the first panel;

the edge (16) of the second panel is configured to cooperate with thegroove (6) of the first panel for connecting said panels to each otherin a second direction, which is parallel to a main plane (MP) of thesecond panel;

the length direction of the separate and flexible tongue (3) extendsparallel with said edge and/or groove;

the groove (6) comprises an opening, two side walls (6 b, 6 c) and abottom (6 a);

the separate and flexible tongue (3) is arranged in an insertion groove(4);

the separate and flexible tongue has an inner part (9) mounted in theinsertion groove (4) and an outer part (10) extending outside an openingof the insertion groove; and

the flexible tongue is displaceable inwardly towards a bottom of theinsertion groove (4) and outwardly into the tongue groove (5) duringlocking.

2. The set of panels as recited in embodiment 1, wherein the flexibletongue has two opposite displacement surfaces (3 a, 3 b) located betweenthe inner and the outer parts, each of the two opposite displacementsurfaces of the flexible tongue (3) are displaceable against an upperand a lower wall respectively of the insertion groove during locking,inwardly towards the bottom of the insertion groove (4) and outwardlyinto the tongue groove (5).3. The set of panels as recited in embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the saidinsertion groove (4) is inclined upwards with the opening closer to themain plane (MP) of the panel than the inner part insertion groove (4).4. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the insertion groove (4) is inclined such that an extension E ofits lower part is located at or above the upper part of the opening ofthe groove (6).5. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the second panel comprises an outer edge with a smallerthickness than the panel body (2) such that the panel body overlaps oneor both parts of the groove (6) opening (27, 28) when the second panel(2) is inserted into the groove (6) of the first panel (1).6. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the inner part of the tongue (9) comprises one or severalflexible protrusions (8) extending in the length direction of the tongue(3).7. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the insertion groove (4) is formed in the groove (6) of thefirst panel (1).8. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the insertion groove (4) is inclined in relation to the mainplane of the second panel with an angle of about 10-45 degrees.9. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the panels comprises at least two flexible tongues separatedfrom each other.10. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the groove (6) is formed as a partial groove extending along apart of a panel.11. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the panels are provided with a locking element (12) and alocking groove (14) for locking the panels parallel to the main plane(MP) of the first panel (1).12. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein adjacent outer panel edges (17,18) in a corner portion areinclined inwardly against the main plane (MP) of the panels.13. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the tongue (3) is locked with pre tension against the tonguegroove (5).14. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the resilient parts are formed of an injection moulded plasticmaterial.15. The set of panels as recited in any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the first and/or the second panel comprise separate materials(24, 25) that form an edge or a groove portion.16. The set of panels as recited in embodiment 15, wherein the separatematerial is covered with a foil.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A set of furniture components provided witha mechanical locking system for locking a first panel and a second panelessentially perpendicularly to each other, the mechanical locking systemcomprising: a groove provided in the first panel, an edge of the secondpanel, an insertion groove provided in the groove of the first panel orin the edge of the second panel, the insertion groove comprising aninner portion, a tongue groove provided in the edge of the second panelor in the groove of the first panel, and a separate and flexible tongueprovided in the insertion groove, wherein the edge of the second panelis configured to cooperate with the groove of the first panel forlocking the panels to each other in a direction perpendicular to themain plane of the second panel, wherein the separate and flexible tongueis configured to cooperate with the tongue groove for locking the panelsto each other in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of thefirst panel, wherein the separate and flexible tongue comprises a firstportion, wherein a width of the first portion is wider than a width of awidest portion of the inner portion of the insertion groove, and whereinthe insertion groove is inclined such that the widest portion of theinner portion of the insertion groove extends between two opposing wallsurfaces which are inclined relative to the main plane of the firstpanel.
 2. The set of furniture components according to claim 1, whereinthe insertion groove further comprises an outer portion, wherein a widthof the outer portion is wider than the width of the widest portion ofthe inner portion.
 3. The set of furniture components according to claim2, wherein the first portion of the separate and flexible tongue isconfigured to be provided in the outer portion of the insertion groove.4. The set of furniture components according to claim 1, wherein theseparate and flexible tongue further comprises a second portion, whereinthe width of the first portion is wider than a width of a widest portionof the second portion.
 5. The set of furniture components according toclaim 4, wherein the second portion is configured to be provided in theinner portion of the insertion groove.
 6. The set of furniturecomponents according to claim 1, wherein the separate and flexibletongue comprises a snap tab.
 7. The set of furniture componentsaccording to claim 6, wherein the snap tab is displaced into theinsertion groove and then back outside the insertion groove duringsnapping.
 8. The set of furniture components according to claim 1,wherein the width of the first portion of the separate and flexibletongue and the width of the inner portion of the insertion groove arewidths along a direction that is perpendicular to a linear extension ina depth direction of the inner portion of the insertion groove.
 9. Theset of furniture components according to claim 1, wherein the edge ofthe second panel is configured to be inserted into the groove of thefirst panel when main planes of the first panel and the second panel arearranged essentially perpendicularly to each other.
 10. The set offurniture components according to claim 1, wherein the insertion grooveis formed in a side wall of the groove of the first panel.
 11. The setof furniture components according to claim 1, wherein the second panelcomprises an outer edge having a smaller thickness than a panel body ofthe second panel.
 12. The set of furniture components according to claim1, wherein an inner part of the separate and flexible tongue is providedin the insertion groove and wherein an outer part of the separate andflexible tongue extends outside of the insertion groove in a lockedstate of the panels.
 13. The set of furniture components according toclaim 1, wherein the separate and flexible tongue is configured to bedisplaced inwardly towards a bottom of the insertion groove andoutwardly into the tongue groove during locking.
 14. A set of furniturecomponents provided with a mechanical locking system for locking a firstpanel and a second panel essentially perpendicularly to each other, themechanical locking system comprising: a groove provided in the firstpanel, an edge of the second panel, an insertion groove provided in thegroove of the first panel or in the edge of the second panel, theinsertion groove comprising an inner portion, a tongue groove providedin the edge of the second panel or in the groove of the first panel, anda separate and flexible tongue provided in the insertion groove, whereinthe edge of the second panel is configured to cooperate with the grooveof the first panel for locking the panels to each other in a directionperpendicular to the main plane of the second panel, wherein theseparate and flexible tongue is configured to cooperate with the tonguegroove for locking the panels to each other in a direction perpendicularto the main plane of the first panel, wherein the separate and flexibletongue comprises a first portion, wherein a width of the first portionis wider than a width of a widest portion of the inner portion of theinsertion groove, and wherein the insertion groove is inclined upwardswith an opening closer to the main plane of the first panel than aninner part of the insertion groove.
 15. A set of furniture componentsprovided with a mechanical locking system for locking a first panel anda second panel essentially perpendicularly to each other, the mechanicallocking system comprising: a groove provided in the first panel, an edgeof the second panel, an insertion groove provided in the groove of thefirst panel or in the edge of the second panel, the insertion groovecomprising an inner portion, a tongue groove provided in the edge of thesecond panel or in the groove of the first panel, and a separate andflexible tongue provided in the insertion groove, wherein the edge ofthe second panel is configured to cooperate with the groove of the firstpanel for locking the panels to each other in a direction perpendicularto the main plane of the second panel, wherein the separate and flexibletongue is configured to cooperate with the tongue groove for locking thepanels to each other in a direction perpendicular to the main plane ofthe first panel, wherein the separate and flexible tongue comprises afirst portion, wherein a width of the first portion is wider than awidth of a widest portion of the inner portion of the insertion groove,and wherein the insertion groove is inclined such that a linearextension in a depth direction of the inner portion of the insertiongroove is located at or above an opening of the groove.
 16. The set offurniture components according to claim 1, wherein the tongue groovecomprises two planar surfaces that are arranged at an acute angle withrespect to each other.